Native Place is the name of our holiday home in the hills of western India. It is also home to Nirvana Adventures, a paragliding school, run by my husband. My gardening adventure began in 2003 when we finished building Native Place and moved in. It is an all consuming hobby that I juggle along with paragliding on weekends. During the week I’m back in the city and gardening online

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Monday, January 16, 2017

The Palash Tree Cafe at Native Place is now open

This year our Palash tree has flowered in January – a curious
thing because it usually flowers in March. Another significant thing for us is that it has flowered
vigorously – the whole canopy is aflame with its blossoms making a striking picture. Is
our late bloomer making up for its tardiness or is this also a result of global warming - one just isn't sure.

Each day the flowers drop onto the steps that lead to the
main door adorning them as though someone has painstakingly strewn flowers to welcome the Native Place Guesthouse visitors and Nirvana Paragliding students. .

I went up to the terrace to get a better view and spotted a
number of birds and squirrels attracted by the nectar full flowers. As i sat
there i also smelt the Madhu Malati flowers and realized that the fragrance is
quite strong in the early mornings.

Pasaba has started to use them in her floral urali decorations

Coming back to the Palash tree – we are collecting the
flowers to make a holi color – again this year. Did you know that the flowers
were used to dye monks’ robes? The
flowers can also be used to make a drink
a herbal tea that helps one beat the heat.

For the next few weeks the terrace is going to be my morning
go to place . It is delightful to
watch the soft early morning sun’s rays turn the canopy into a fiery orange
thereby signalling the birds that the cafe is open. Cause soon after this the
birds and squirrels arrive to feast on the sustaining morning beverage (nectar)
their antics lead to the dropping of the flowers onto the steps.

All this while
i breathe in the crisp morning air scented by the beautiful flowers of the Madhu Malati vine

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About Me

I have had an affinity for trees for as long as I can remember. In 2003 Native Place our guesthouse in the hills of western India was completed and that’s when i began hands on gardening.
My brand of gardening is more visualizing mood and creating joyful spaces.
Don’t get me wrong I love getting my hands dirty. I also talk to my plants – no nonsense straight talk is what I call it and I think they like it.
Honestly I don’t see myself as having green fingers and definitely have a long way to go in strict gardening terms but if it involves walking up or down a garden path I am up for it.